Mining machine



Feb. 19, 192.9.` 1,702,571

C. A. PRATT MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 19, 1929.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 nor' y CarZaS/f Lgf/a2?" C. A. PRATT MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug- 29, 1924 f Wa Feb. 19, 41929.

C. A. PRATT MINING MACHINE original Filed Aug. 29, 1924l 4 sheets-Sheet 5 'F.eb. 19,1929. A 1,702571 C.- A. rPRATT MINING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. l29, 1924 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 y? Wbyrngy I l description proceeds.

Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. IRATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GOODMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. i

' MINING MACHINE.

Application filed August 29, 1924, Serial No. 734,848. Renewed. August 1928.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in mining machines, more particularly to kerf cut-ting mining machines having. feeding and guiding devices for cutting a continuous lerf adjacent the mine floor. The principal objectof this invention is to provide an improved machine of the class described capable of cutting a kerf relativelyrwider near its outer end than at its inner end whereby the material above the kerf when dislodged will have a tendency to roll out and away from the working face so as to facilitate the removal thereof. Further kobjects of this invention will appear from time to time as the The invention may be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side view of a machine ofthe shortwall type embodying one form of my invention and showing the machine in cutting position adjacent the working face ofl the mine and also showing in vertical section the form of lrerf cut thereby;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure l but drawn to a somewhat larger scale and having parts of the mining machine omitted;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the front end of the mining machine shown in Figure 2 but with parts omitted; l f l Figure l is a transverse section taken on line 1 of Figure 3;

Figures 5; 6 and 7 are sectional views taken. respectively on lines 5 5; 6-6 and 7-7 of Figure 3;

Figures 8, 9 and 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the mining machine may be manipulated so as to form its initial sumping; transverse and withdrawin cut in the mine.

Referring now to the details shown in the drawings, my invention is shown as illustrated herein applied to a kerf cutting mining machine of the shortwall low vein type which has as its principal elements a cutter frame Ak provided with an endless cutter chain B supported' at the front end of the machine frame C. This machine frame comprises a gear housing D at its front end-and a inoter housing E at it-s rear end. As shown herein the motor 'housing is attached at the4 rear end of the Oear housin and forms thereyis slidable upon the mine bottom during its cutting operation. Thel machine is controlled in the usual manner by means of flexible draft devices herein comprising a head rope 10 on a guide or kwinding drum l1 and trained overa guide or sheave l2 adjacent the front end of the lframe and anchored at a distance from the machine so that the machine will be advanced in a lateral direction along the working face while the kerf is being cut. The rear end of the machine is retarded to control the position of the machine relative to the mine face in the usual manner. As shown herein retardation is accomplished by means of a tail rope wound on a drum 16 and controlled by a friction band 17in the usual manner. l

The main operating mechanism of the machine comprises a motor pinion 20 engaging a gear 21 on a longitudinal shaft 22 in the gear housing D. Driving connections are providedV for the winding drum l1 upon which the feed rope 10 is wound, as for instance a worm 23 carried onshaft 22 engagingv a wormvgear 24 on a transverse shaft 25. This transverse shaft 25 is connected with a planetary variable speed device 26 which in turn is connected through a shaft 27 and gears 28 and 29 to the Winding drum ll. Details of the variable speed device 26 need not be described as it forms no part of the present invention, it being understood that any suitable variablek speed device may be substituted therefor 'if desired. The cutter chain B is movable on the cutter bar A in the usual manner and is driven by means of 'a chain sprocket 30 loosely mounted on a sleeve 3l V(see Figure 4). `This sleeve is lin turn mounted onan upright sha-ft 32. Driving connection between the intermediate shaft 22 and the chain sprocket 30 is afforded through a bevel .pinion engaging a bevel gearr36 loosely mounted on the shaft 2. A vertically movable clutch mechanism 33 is mounted on the shaft 32 above the -beveled gear 36 but has depending clutch jaws 37, `37 extending downwardlythrough said gear and movrlhe parts hereinbefore described are substantially the same as those heretofore used in mining` machines of the ordinary construction, but it Will be understood that my invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to use With this specific -form ot shortwall machine.

Referring now more particularly to the features constituting the embodiment oitnny invention illustrated herein, it will be observed that I provide a cutting element 45 arranged in cooperative relationship with respect to the main cutting arm A so as to cut a ker'f that is Wider at its outer end than at its inner end. ln the preferred form shown this cutting element is oit the rotary type tapered toward its front end and has a plurality of cutter bits 46, 46 thereon. This rotary cutter bar is supported at both ends in ay supporting arm 47 pivotally mounted on a bracket 48 proj ecting laterally from the following or receding side el the gear heus" io l). rlhe bearing support at the rear end or the cutter bar comprises a shaft 49 forming a part ot the cutter bar and having bearing in a sleeve 50 forming a part of the supporting arm 47. The arm has pivotal support on the bracket 48 comprising a vertical pin 51 carried by the bracket 48 and extending through said arm at a point outside oi: the cutter bar shalt 49, as clearly shown in Figure 4. Thence the supporting` arm curves forwardly about the receding or following side of the cutter bar 45 to 'form a section 52 extending to the front end of the cutter bar Where it is provided with an offset journal 4bearing 53 in which is rotatably mounted a bearing sha-tt 54 forming the troni end ol the cutter bar 45. lt Will be observed in Figure l that t ie liront or journal bearing 53 is in substantial horizontal alignment with the main cutter bar A which during the cutting operation precedes the rotary cutter bar 45 and its supporting arm 47' so as to form a space wherein the bearing member 53 may enter.

Driving connection between the rotary cutter bar 45 and the operating mechanism of the minim;I` machine comprises a bevel pinion GO carried on the inner endl of the cutter bar shaft 49 and engaging at the outer periphery thereof a bevel pinion 61 on the shaft 62. Said shaft is journallcd in bearings G3, rigid with the main traine, and carries a bevel. pinion ($4 thereon at .its inner end, engagingthe hotel gear 36 associated with the chain driving mechanism, as heretofore described. Under operating conditions it is preferable to por mit the auxiliary rotary cutter bar to swing laterally Vawa-y troni the main cutter bar A which is accomplished by the pivotal' connection oft the supporting arm 4'? and the pivot pin 5l. As will be seen from llie'ure i0 the pivotal movement et the arm causes the bevel gear GO on the cutter bar to swings; inwardly away trom its companion bevel gear 6l so as to be disengaged therefrom. The supporting arm is locked in its 'forward or cutting po sition by suitable means such as a locking pin 6G adapted to extend through a hole 67 -formed in a lug 68 and registering with a hole (S) termed in the main supporting bracket 48. his construction is clearly shown in Figure 4.

ln conjunction with the supporting arm 4'? which when in operating position extends into the kerf behind the main cutter arm A, l provide means for clearing the cuttings Yfrom the kert which means herein comprises a scraper 7() arranged in upright position and pivoted at 'il to the forwardly extending` section 52 et the supporting arm 47. This scraper is preferably connected to the main body oit' the machine by means ot' a flexible connection such as a chain 72 arranged in its extended position so as to hold said scraper in a. rearwardly and outwardly inclined position, clearly shown in Figure 2. The lower edge 73 of the scraper is arranged to substantially engage the bottom of the kert so when the machine is cutting the kerl the slack or cuttings lett in the kert will be engaged by the scraper and be cleared from the kert. By reason of the pivotal connection of the scraper to the supporting arm 47 it may be folded inwardly toward the supporting arm Whenever necessary during the cutting operation.

rlhe use and operation of the machine above described is illustrated in Figures 8, 9, l0 and ll. llt will be understood that the machine is transported from one Workingl face to another in the usual manner on a mining machine truck. The diagrams show how the ngiaehine may be operated in the usual cutting operations Witliout interference from the rotary cutter arm 45 and its supporting arm 47. fin Figure 8 the machine is shown in its initial sumping position With the main cutter arm A in engagement at the corner ot the room formed by the Working tace 8O and the right hand Wall or rib 8l. The draft ropes are used in any ordinary and Well known manner to sump the machine, as

shown in liOnres 8 and 9 from which it willA be observed that the rotary cutter bar 45 t'ollows the main cutter bai' A, which forms 'e wherein the trent bearing et said j bar may enter te iollow the main cuta in its sumping cut. Y ln Figure l() the machine is shown as it is cutting across the Working lace, with the rotary cutter bar 45 and its supper-tin Y extended in norm al parallel. relationsh, p Wit i the main cutter bar A and with the scraper T0 in extended position to clear the cuttii 'tro 'le kerl". `Under some conditions it may be desirable snf'ing the rotary cutter bar out et the hert While this cross cut is being n Jthis may readily be accomplished by removing the locking pin 66 and swinging the sur p ort-mg arm pivot-ally about ,its pivot seen that the scraper is'in position to clear the cuttings from the kei-f.

Among the advantages of the machine construct/ed in accordance with my invention is the provision of means for cutting alerf opening.outwardly toward the Working face so that the material when shot down or dis-' lodged in the usual manner will have a tendency to roll outwardly. It has been demonstrated that with a. lierf of this type the coal is found to be dislodged With greater ease and requires less than the usual charge of blasting powder, so that a substantial saving` is made in the amount of l ump coal obtained. Among other advantages of my invention is the provision of an axiliary cutter bar arranged on the following side of the main cutter bar so that there is no possibility that the n'laterial forn'iing the ovz-irhanging part of the kerf can be dislodged and fall upon the main cutter. arm so as to interfere Withthe operation of the machine. It will be observed further that the rotary cutter arm is arranged to cut substantially the entire amount of material Within the vertical limits of the korf, and the material is readily removed by means of thek scraper device described. The arrangement whereby the auxiliary cutterbar has bearing supports at both ends is particularly,desirable in machines ofthis character, owing t-o the enormous lateral pressures which such a cutter bar must Withstand.

I claim as my invention:

Lin a. mining machine, a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine and provided With flexible feeding and guidingmeans, a lrerf cutting' clement projecting fromA one end thereof, and a second korf cutting element disposed to one sine of said first namedl cutting element and arranged in inclined position with respect thereto.

f2. ln a mining nlaceine.v a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine and provided with flexible feeding and guiding means, a kerf cutting element projecting fronr one end thereof, and a second kerf cutting element disposed to one side of said first named cutting element and arranged in inclined position with respect thereto, said second cutting element being iivotally mounted on said frame to swing laterally relative to said first cutting element. l o y 3. In a mining machine, a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine and provided with flexible feeding and guiding means, a kerf cutting element projecting from one end 4 thereof, and a second kerf cutting element comprising a rotating cutter bar Idisposed to one side of said first named cutting element andfarranged in inclined position with respect thereto. y

4t. In a mining machine, a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine and provided with flexible feeding and guiding means, a kerf cut-ting elen'ient projecting from one end thereof, a second kerf cuttingelement comprising a rotating cutter bar disposed to one side of said first named cutting` element and arranged in inclined position with respect thereto, and supporting means for the front end of said rotating cutter bar including a bearing'disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane as said cutter arm.

5. In a mining machine, a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine and provided with flexible feeding and guiding means, a kerf cutting element projecting from one end thereof, a second kerf cutting element comprising a rotating cutter bar disposed to one side of said first named cutting element and arranged in inclined position with respect thereto, and supporting means for the front end of said rotating cutter bar including a bearing` disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane as said cutter arm, said supporting `means being pivotally mounted on said frame to swing said cutter barv into and outv of cooperating cutting position relative to said kerf cutting element.

6. In a mining' machine,a frame slidable upon the lioor of a mine, a motor on said frame, draft means operatively connected With said motor for feeding and guiding` said frame, a plurality of cutting elements driven by said motor and inclined toward each other in a vertical plane and normally arranged in projecting position in front of the machine frame, one of said cutting elements being plvotally connected to said frame to swing vlaterally with respect to the other cutting element. i y

7. In a mining machine, a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine, al motor on said frame, draft means operatively connected with said motor for feeding and guiding said frame, a plurality ofA cutting elements driven by saidmotor and inclined toward each other in a verticalplano and normally arranged in projecting position in front of the machine frame, one of said cutting elements bein pivotally connected to said frame to swing laterally with respect to the other cutting' element, saidV last named cutting element having means automatically disconnectable from the motor by pivotal movement thereof.

8. In a mining machine, a frame slidable upon the floor of a mine, a motor on said frame, draft mean-s operatively connected with said motorfor feeding and guidingsaid frame, a plurality of cutting elements driven by said motor and inclined toward each other in a vertical plane and normally arranged in projecting posit-ion in 'front ol" the machine frame, one of said cutting elements being pivotally connected to said :trame to swing laterally With respect to the other cutting),` element, and locking means 'for maintaining said movable element in cutting position.

9. ln a mining machine, a irame slidable on a mine bottom, a cutter arm extending from one end thereof and proviced with a cutter chain, a niotor on said trame operatively connected with said cutter chain, icec ing and guiding devices for aid Yframe connected with said motor, a rotating cutter har extending in inclined position 'from said frame and arranged in a plane parallel with but spaced laterally from the plane ot said cutter arm, and a support 'lor both ends oi said cutter' bar pivotally connected at one side of said fra-me.

l0. ln a mining machine, a trame slidahle on a mine bottom, a cutter arm extending trom one end thereoi and provided with a cut-ter chain, a motor on said trame operatively connected with said cutter chain, 'toeding and guiding devices for said fram-e connected with said motor, and a rotating cutter bar extending in inclined position 'from said trame and arranged in a plane paraliel with but spaced laterally from the plane ot said cutter arm, said rotating cutter bar being tapered toward its forward end and having its cutting lower margin extending substantially to the horizontal plane ot the upper cut ting margin oi said cutter chain.

l1. ln a mining machine, a 'trame slidable on a mine bottom, means for sumping and moving the saine transversely, a chain cutter carrying element projecting 'forwardly oi said trame, an upright sprocket in sain traine 'for driving said chain, a motor on said iframe operatively connected `With said sprocket, a second cutter element projecting lioinvardly 0i said trame, but at one side ot said tirst named cutter bar, and a horizontally disposed shaft operatively connected with said vertical shaft and forming a driving conne! -`vion for said second named cutting element,

l2. ln a mining machine having a 'trame sridable on a mine bottom, a motor on said trame, means connected with said motor ''or feeding and guiding said machine du ing i writting operation, a cut element u ing forwardly of said trame, and a second cutting element extending 'iorwardly e :trame and inciined at e angle to d cutting element, and carin oper "iveiy connesting said last Vd cutter clement with said motor, said ,i .ring below upper surface of said motor.

i3.` in a mining machine, a ran'ie siidabie on a mine bottom having means tor sumping and moving the same transversely ci? working 'face ci a mine, cutter -uui project ing from one end ot said Ylrame and provided with a cutter chain, a motor on said frame operatively connected Wit-h said cutter chain and with said sumping and 'feeding means, a second cutter element projecting 'from the forward end of said trame and arranged at an angle inclined with respect to said cutter arm, the rear end of said second cutting element being arranged belon7 the upper surface ot' said motor and having operative connection *ith the iatter by gearing also disposed below t ie upper suriace of said motor.

l-i. ln mining machine, a tramel slidable upon the door of a mine and provided with flexible feeding and guiding` means, a lieri cutting element projecting from one end the cot, a support pivotally connected With said trame and disposed to one side ot said cutting element, and a deflector connected adjacent its forward end to said support, the tree rear end ot said deflector being arranged at an. angle to said kort cutting element to clear the cuttings -from the lreri.

l5. ln a mining machine, a trame slidable upon the floor ot a mine and provided with ticxible feeding and guiding means, a lrerf cutting element projecting` from one end thereof, a. support extending from said frame and disposed to one side otl said cutting element, a detlector pivotally mounted on said support, and a iiexible connection bet-Ween said 'frame and said deiiector, said deiiector being' adapted to be arranged at an angle to said cutting clement when the flexible connection is in extended position.

16. ln mining machine, a trame slidable on a mine bottom, a cutting element extendine horizontally from one end of said trame, a cutting element rotatable on its longitudinal axis extending in an inclined position from said trame and arranged in a plane parallel with but spaced laterally from the plane ot said first named cutting element, bearing means for the front end of said second cutting element in substantial horizontal alignment with said irst named cutting element, and a motor on said frame operatively connected to drive said cutting elements.

i7. in a mining machine, a 'trame slidable on a mine bottom, a cutting element extent: ing from one end ot' sz id traine, second cutting element extending in an inclined position 'from said iran'ie and arranged in a plane jiarallel with but spaced laterally from the plane of said a motor on ser llG tively connected to simultaneously drive said cutting elements from a common bevel gear rotatable on a vertical axis in front of said motor.

19. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on a mine bottom, a cutting element extending from one end of said frame, a second cutting element extending in an inclined position from said frame and arranged in a plane parallel with but spaced laterally from the plane of said first named cutting element, and a motor on said frame operatively connected to selectively drive either said first named cutting element or said second named cutting element.

20. The combination in a mining machine, a frame slidable on a mine bottom, means for sumping and moving said machine comprising feed driving mechanism including' a vvariable reduction gearing, a chain carrying element projecting forwardly of said frame, a second rotating cutting element projecting forwardly of said frame but at one side of said first named element and inclined with respect thereto, a motor on said frame operatively connected with said cutting elements, said operative connection comprising an upright shaft on said frame forward of said motor and said feed driving mechanism, a sprocket on said shaft for driving said chain on said chain carrying element, a bevel gear on said shaft above said sprocket and adapted to be operatively connected with said sprocket and said motor, an intermediate shaft parallel to and having connection with said motor shaft by a gear on its rearward end, its forward end having connection with said bevel gear by a bevel pinion, and a horizontally disposed shaft operatively connected with said bevel gear and forming a driving connecton for said second named cutting element.

2l. The combination in a mining machine, a frame .slidable on a mine bottom, means for sumping and nloving said machine comprising feed driving mechanism including a variable reduction gearing, a chain carrying element projecting forwardly of said frame, a second rotatii g' cutting element projecting forwardly of said frame but at one side of said first named element and inclined with respect thereto, a motor on said frame operatively connected with said cutting elements, said operative connection comprising an upright shaft on said frame forward of said motor and said feed driving mechanism, a sprocket on said shaft for driving said chain in said chain carrying element, a bevel gear on said shaft above said sprocket and adapted to be operatively connected with said sprocket and said motor, an intermediate shaft parallel to and having connection with said motor shaft by a gear on its rearward end, its forward end having connection with said bevel gear, and a horizontally disposed shaft extending in a plane perpendicular with said intermediate shaft, a bevel pinion on the inner extremity of said shaft connected with said first named bevel gear,` and a bevel pinion on its outer end having connection with another bevel pinion to operatively connect said second named cutting element with said motor, f

22. The combination in a mining machine, a frame slidable on a mine bottom, means for sumping and moving said machine oom.

prising feed driving mechanism including a variable reduction gearing, a chain carrying element projecting forwardly of said frame, a second rotating cutting element projecting forwardly of said frame but at one side oit' said first named element and inclined with respect thereto, a motor on said frame operatively connected with said cutting elements, said operative connection comprising an uprightV shaft on said frame forward of said nio-tor and said feed driving mechanism, a sprocket on .said shaft for driving said chain in said chain carrying element, a bevel gear on said shaft above said sprocket and adapted to be operatively connected with said sprocket and said motor, an intermediate shaft parallel to and having connection with said motor shaft by a gear on its rearward end, its forward end having connection with said bevel gear, and a horizontally disposed shaft eX- tending in a plane perpendicular with said intermediate shaft, a bevel pinion on the inner extremity of said shaft connected with said first named bevel gear, and a bevel pinionfon its outer' end having connection with another bevel pinion to operatively connect said second named cutting element with said motor, said horizontal shaft and said gearing extending below the upper surface of said motor.

23. The combination in a mining machine, a frame slidable on a mine bottom, means for sumping and moving said machine conr prising feed driving'mechanism including a variable reduction gearing, a chain carrying element proje1ing forwardly of said frame, a second rotating cutting element projecting forwardly of said frame but at one side of said first named element and inclined with respect thereto, supporting means for said rotating cutting element, said supporting means including a bearingfor the front of said rotating cutter bar disposed `in substantially the same horizontal plane as said cutter arm and pivotally mounted on said frame to swing said cutter bar into and out of cooperating cutting position relative to said kerf cutting element, a motor on said frame operatively connected with said cutting ele ments, said operative connection comprising an upright shaft on said frame forward of said motor and said feed driving mechanism, a sprocket on said shaft for driving said chain in said chain carrying element, a bevel gear on said shaft above said sprocket and Ilm adapted to be operatively connected With Said sprocket and said motor, an intermediate shaft parallel to and having Connection With said motor shaft by a gear on its rearward end, its forward end having Connection with said bevel gear by a bevel pinion, and a horizontally disposed shaft operatively connected with Said bevel gear and forming a driving connection for said second named cutting element.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 20th day of August, 1924.

CHARLES A. PRATT. 

